Chapter five: Harold

Harold sweated nervously as he drove his jeep to Leshawna’s house. Up until a little bit ago, the redhead teen was really looking forward to this reunion party Chris had announced. But now a thousand thoughts zoomed through his head as he drove down the road, but one question just wouldn’t leave his mind.

“Why did it have to be a night club, let alone THAT club?!”

Not a lot of people knew this, but Harold had very bad memories about that particular night club. The only thing that kept him driving was the fact that Leshawna was just as excited about the party and had been looking forward to it. He didn’t want to let her down; Leshawna meant the world to Harold. Her feelings were top priority to him.

Even still, nothing could keep Harold from remembering one night a few years ago, almost a year before TDI rolled along. His female cousin had become best friends with a girl whom had moved out from the prairies and the two had decided to go to the club to party. The friend of Harold’s cousin ran into a sick freak during the party, raping and killing her. Since then, Harold refused to go near a night club and stayed away from that particular club like it was the plague.

But now this reunion party had come up and (just Harold’s luck) it was at the same night club poor Harold had been afraid of for a number of years.

“There’s no way it’s a coincidence.” Harold muttered to himself. “Chris must’ve found out about my fear of that club and is wanting to exploit it.”

In all honesty, Harold was tempted to turn his jeep around and drive away, just forgetting about the party. But the fact that Leshawna was going made him feel like he needed to be there.

“W-What if another rapist is there?” Harold mused nervously. “W-What if he goes after Leshawna?”

Harold narrowed his eyes, suddenly feeling a little more determined. There was no way he was going to leave Leshawna in his most hated place in the world when there could be someone there whom could…

Mentally slapping himself to get the horrible thoughts out of his head, Harold continued driving. “No. I can’t think like that.” He told himself.

Harold looked out his windshield and saw Leshawna’s house coming up. Pulling into the driveway, Harold parked his jeep. However, before he made the move to get out and go knock on Leshawna’s door, Harold let out a sigh.

“If Leshawna wants to go, I’ll go as well.” Harold resolved as he opened his door and got out of the jeep, walking towards the house. If anything happened to Leshawna at the party, he didn’t know what he’d do…

Harold nervously entered the night club with Leshawna. He had told his plus-sized girlfriend his reason for being afraid of the club and she had comforted him about it, but urged him to face his fears. In the end, Harold finally agreed and decided to go inside, hoping that things would go okay.

Inside, Harold looked around. He saw everyone else from season one of TDI, as well as the contestants from season two (he was one of the contestants that actually watched the second season) scattered around the club, looking like they were having fun.

Harold was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Leshawna talking to him. “I’m gonna go over and talk to someone, okay?” She asked.

Although a little hesitant to leave Leshawna alone, Harold agreed. “Okay. I’ll go see if I can find someone to talk to.” He nodded.

With that, the two lovers went in opposite directions. Harold saw DJ, Trent and Izzy talking aside (well, DJ and Trent were talking; Izzy was picking through Trent’s hair with a weird look on her face). Shrugging to himself, Harold wandered over.

“Uh…Hey, guys.” Harold greeted.

“Hey, Harold.” DJ greeted back with a smile.

“How’re things going?” Trent added.

“Not bad, I guess.” Harold admitted. “Uh…Trent, why is Izzy picking through your hair?”

“I lost my gum.” Izzy replied casually.

Trent’s eyes snapped open. “Huh?! Izzy, you told me you needed some of my hair for a project!” He said.

“I did, but my gum fell out while I was taking your hair.” Izzy replied. “So I decided to put off work on my voodoo doll until I find it.”

“Uh…Voodoo doll?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s just a little something I learned how to do in Africa when a weird tribe took me prisoner. I spent three days in a cage made of human bones and learned how to make a voodoo doll by watching the witch doctor from afar.” Izzy replied simply. “After constructing an effigy of the chief, it was only a matter of time before they released me and I was back on my way.”

The three boys stood in silence before deciding to ignore Izzy as best as they could.

“Some party, isn’t it?” DJ asked Harold.

“Yeah…I guess.” Harold shrugged.

“You don’t look so happy, man.” Trent noted. “Anything wrong?”

Harold looked down. “Well…This tribe kinda brings back bad memories that I don’t really want to relive.” He admitted.

“Then what made you come?” DJ asked.

“Leshawna wanted to come. I always want to be there for her and told myself that I would come in here if she wanted to.” Harold replied.

“You really love her, don’t you?” Trent asked.

“You have no idea how in love I am.”

“Uh…Actually, I can.” Trent said with a smirk.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, man.” Harold said. “You and Gwen still together, then?”

“Yep, and we’ll stay together.” Trent nodded. “I even dedicated a song to her on my single.”

“Oh, yeah! I remember that song!” DJ nodded in realization. “They say that’s your best song.”

“I think so, as well.” Trent nodded. “I’ll be making sure I play it at every concert I go to.”

“It’s so sweet how you and Gwen love each other.” Izzy said dreamily. “It’s like how Owen and I love each other so much that we both walked two miles just to see each other, only it was at the same time and when he arrived at my house, I was already at his.”

The others looked at Izzy and saw that she was holding a beaver close to Trent’s hair as she talked. Trent wisely took a step away from her.

“Izzy, two questions; where did you get that beaver and why are you holding it to my head?” Trent asked.

Izzy’s eyes darted back and forth several times before pulling something from her pocket and throwing it to the floor, creating a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, Izzy was gone.

I don’t know if I should feel glad that she’s gone or worried that she didn’t find her gum first.” Trent said as he started feeling through his hair.

As Trent tried to find Izzy’s lost gum, DJ turned to Harold. “Hey, Harold? I hope you’re not still mad at me for helping the guys do those things to you back on the island.” He said. “Some of that stuff was pretty underhanded and I’m sorry I ever took part in any of it.”

Harold was taken aback by the apology. He had actually almost forgotten that DJ had helped the other guys with the pranks. “Uh…No sweat man. I’ve even forgiven Duncan.” Harold said. “But why are you apologizing just out of the blue like that?”

“I dunno, man. I just woke up this morning, feeling the need to make peace with you at the party seeing as how I never formally apologized.” DJ said. “I don’t know what caused it, but now that I’ve apologized, I feel a lot better. Like a big burden’s been taken from his shoulders.”

“Hey. Like I said. No sweat.” Harold replied as he held out his fist. DJ smiled and tapped fists with Harold.

“Hey, DJ? Can you help me here?” Trent asked. “I think I found Izzy’s gum, but it’s not coming loose.”

“Be right there, man.” DJ nodded. “Hey, I’ll talk to you later, Harold.”

“Sure, DJ.”

Harold turned and walked away, weaving through the crowd to see if he could find someone else he could talk to.

That’s when Harold spotted Courtney talking with Bridgette off to the side. Harold gulped as he decided to try apologizing to Courtney. He had sent several e-mails with heartfelt apologies to her after the show, but he had a feeling she didn’t bother to look at any of them.

Thinking that he’d have a better chance with an in-person apology, Harold took a deep breath and approached Courtney.

“Um…Courtney?”

Courtney spun around at Harold’s voice and her eyes were instantly narrowed in pure hatred.

“What do YOU want, you twerp?!” Courtney demanded.

Harold stepped back at the CIT’s outburst, but inside he wasn’t really surprised. She obviously still hated him for switching votes back on the show. Harold was about to explain that he was sorry for doing what he did, but Courtney interrupted him, throwing several insults at him at the same time.

As Courtney ranted for a little bit, Harold just stood there and took it, a hurt expression on his face. He really felt that he deserved all of the hurtful words Courtney was giving him and as such didn’t make a move to stop her once she got started.

When Courtney finally finished yelling, Harold stood in silence for a few seconds before finally deciding that Courtney would never accept an apology from him. He sighed, turned around and walked through the crowd (which had parted for him). Harold ended up at the club’s bar, and the redhead sat on a stool.

“Uh…Would you like something?” The bartender asked, having heard Courtney’s yelling and thinking the redhead needed a drink.

“Mineral water, please.” Harold replied.

The bartender nodded and started to get Harold’s order. The redhead sighed and placed his elbows up on the counter.

“You didn’t deserve any of that.”

Harold turned to his left and his eyes widened when he saw Eva sitting on another stool, leaning against the bar and glaring at Courtney.

“No…I deserved everything.” Harold said as his drink was placed in front of him. “I got her eliminated.”

“She was asking for it.” Eva said, shaking her head. “It still didn’t give her the right to say those things, especially so long after the show ended.” Downing her glass and placing it on the counter, Eva got up. “Maybe I should go teach that preppy CIT a lesson…”

Harold reached out and placed his hand on Eva. “I appreciate the gesture, but please don’t do it, Eva.” He pleaded. “It’s not worth it.”

Eva paused, then sighed. “You know what? Maybe I should take a few anger-management lessons from you, four-eyes.” She said. “If I was in your shoes, I would have exploded the instant Courtney opened her mouth.” The strong girl paused, then looked at Harold. “Why don’t you go over and talk with Ezekiel? He’s got a couple of drawings I think may cheer you up.”

Just like that, Eva was gone, deciding to follow Harold’s wishes and leave Courtney alone for now. Harold finished his drink and got up, deciding to go see what Ezekiel had that Eva recommended.

However, on his way over, he saw Leshawna approaching him, a shady-looking guy behind her. Harold was almost sure Leshawna would have seen him, but she seemed to pass him by without giving him eye contact. Harold wondered what the deal was until he saw something shiny in the hand of the man behind Leshawna, holding it to her back.

Harold’s eyes snapped open. “A gun!!” His thoughts screamed. He simply watched as the man forced his girlfriend out of the club, and only when they were gone did Harold finally get over the shock and start moving. Harold raced through the club and was out of the club as fast as he could run.

Once he was outside, Harold looked around frantically. Harold, seemingly oblivious of the consequences, raced towards the alley and looked in.

Leshawna was backed against the wall of the night club and the man was holding a knife pretty close to her. A familiar memory raced through Harold’s head.

“N-No! This can’t be happening!!” Harold thought before his eyes narrowed. “I won’t let it happen! Not to Leshawna!!”

Harold raced over to the rapist and grabbed his arm, pushing it into the air to keep the man from using his knife. Harold pushed forward with all his might, forcing the man away from Leshawna.

“W-What?!” The man asked. “Where’d YOU come from?!”

Harold growled and swung his head forward, slamming it into the man’s head and making him drop the knife. The redhead jumped and kicked the man in the face.

“You think I’m going to let you do that to my girlfriend?!” Harold roared. “You’ve got another thing coming, you freak!”

“Look, kid! I didn’t know she was you girlfriend!” The man insisted.

“And that just makes it okay?! Just the fact that you would have done it to any girl in the club sickens me!” Harold shouted as he swung his fist at the man (he dodged it).

“Kid, I won’t hesitate to hurt you as well!” The man said.

“I don’t care! I’d die for my girlfriend!!” The redhead shouted as he swung his fist again (to another dodge).

“Fine! You can have the overweight cow, anyway!” The man said.

Several things snapped inside Harold’s head. Roaring in anger, Harold leapt at the man, tackled him to the ground and started punching him in the face.

“NO! ONE! CALLS! LESHAWNA! THAT!” Harold roared in between punches. “YOU! DARE! SAY! THAT?!”

The man tried to find an opening in Harold’s attacks and managed to kick the teenager off of him. As Harold furiously scrambled to his feet, the man reached into his coat. Harold took one step towards the man before a gun was fired.

Harold felt the bullet go into his body as he froze in pain. Gasping for air, the redhead clutched his chest as if in a desperate and futile attempt to stop the pain as he collapsed to the pavement.

“HAROLD!!!” Leshawna screamed as she rushed to his side. Harold weakly looked up and saw the man fleeing the alley, only to run straight into Ezekiel, whom was walking in front of the alley.

Leshawna tried to convince Harold that he would be okay, but the redhead knew better. He knew that he wouldn’t live through the night; the pain was just too great. But he wanted to stay with it as long as he could, spending his last moments with Leshawna.

Finally, as Leshawna was clutching him tightly, Harold decided to make a final request. “Leshawna…” He wheezed.

“W-What?” Leshawna whimpered, looking at Harold with a tear-stained face.

“Don’t cry…” Harold pleaded. “Please…Please smile for me…I don’t want to die seeing you upset.”

“H-Harold, don’t talk like that!!” Leshawna cried. “You’re…You’re going to be okay!!”

“Please…Smile for me…”

Harold watched as Leshawna forced a weak smile. Harold smiled and placed a hand on her cheek. “I…I love you, Leshawna…”

Leshawna chocked back a sob. “Baby, I love you, too…”

Leshawna pulled Harold in for a kiss. Although surprised, Harold returned it, his energy slowly fading away. As he finally started to black out Harold smiled and closed his eyes while Leshawna was kissing him.

“…What a great way to die…”

A few days later, in the middle of the night, Leshawna was curled up in bed, having another nightmare about Harold. These nightmares had been going every night since that night at the club, and Leshawna knew that they wouldn’t be stopping anytime soon unless a miracle happened.

“Harold…Harold, no…Please…Please don’t go…” Leshawna whimpered in her sleep.

If Leshawna had been awake, she would have seen a shining, white figure appear in her room.

A very familiar redhead, dressed in a white robe and with a pair of white wings attached to his back, approached the sleeping girl. He sighed.

“Leshawna, these nightmares need to stop…” Harold said as he placed his shining hands on Leshawna’s face. “Leshawna…”

“H-Harold?” Leshawna said in her sleep. “Oh, baby…Baby, I missed you…So much…”

“Leshawna, I don’t want you to be upset about what happened.” Harold said, making himself appear in Leshawna’s dream to communicate with her. “I’m glad I did what I did.”

“No…No, you can’t…Say that…” Leshawna said. “It’s…My fault…”

“I don’t blame you for what happened.” Harold explained. “I died so that you would live your life to its fullest. Not so you could spend your life mourning me.”

“…But…It just…Isn’t fair…”

“Leshawna, please don’t mourn me.” Harold said. “Please. For my sake and yours, live your life.” He sighed, knowing that his time was almost up. “I need to go now, Leshawna…”

“N-No…Baby, please…Don’t leave me again…”

“I’ll never leave you, Leshawna. I’ll always be with you.” Harold replied. “And one day, we’ll be together forever.”

“…Promise?...”

Harold smiled. “I promise.” He said. “I love you so much, Leshawna.”

“…I…love you too…Harold…”

Harold gave a sad smile and pulled away from Leshawna, watching as she curled up and gave a weak smile in her sleep, showing that the nightmare had ended. Harold backed away from Leshawna, never taking his eyes off of her. Harold removed his glasses and placed them on Leshawna’s bedside table. It’s not like he’d be needing them where he was going…

“Goodbye, Leshawna.” Harold said as he speared his wings, flew through the walls of Leshawna’s house, and ascended back to Heaven. Harold would count the days until he could be reunited with Leshawna.

After all, about seventy years without her was nothing compared to an eternity with her.

END

Author’s note: Wow. My saddest story yet and it’s finished.

Note to Imagi: I was really contemplating an alternative fic, but I really can’t think of how to finish it. So, for now, I’ll label the story as complete. Maybe I’ll add another chapter, but that may not come for a while…

I’m currently planning a couple more TDI fics, but I assure you that they won’t be as sad as this (although my next story will still have a lot of drama). Let me give you a hint for my next fic. It involves two of the girls forming an unlikely friendship after one does something for the other.